TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- A U.S. journalist imprisoned for spying in Iran may appeal to the Islamic republic's Supreme Leader for a pardon, her father told CNN on Thursday.

"We will do whatever is necessary to free our daughter," Reza Saberi said.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989.

Any pardon request for Roxana Saberi will depend on the results of her appeal, her father said. The 32-year-old Iranian American journalist was tried and convicted on espionage charges in a one-day trial that was closed to the public nearly two weeks ago. She was sentenced to serve eight years in prison.

Saberi is appealing her verdict, and Iranian authorities have said they will make sure her appeals process is quick and fair.

She has launched a hunger strike to protest her confinement in Tehran's Evin prison, which houses many Iranian dissidents and political prisoners.